The Dodgers top prospects are well known to most knowledgeable Dodger fans:  Keibert Ruiz, Dustin May, Gavin Lux, Tony Gonsolin, Dennis Santana, Will Smith, and DJ Peters. All have the potential to be regulars sooner than later – perhaps as soon as this season – and possibly become future stars for the Dodgers. Not far behind the top prospects are players like Mitchell White, Connor Wong, and Omar Estevez, who are talented, but not yet as advanced.

But what about the next group of young men who are working their way up the minor league system and hopeful of one day being included as “top prospects?” Who should Dodgers fans be following in addition to the better known prospects?

Here are a few names that you might want to keep an eye on during the 2019 minor league season:

• Jeter Downs, the twenty-year-old middle infielder acquired from the Cincinnati Reds in December 2018. Downs was a first round compensatory draft pick of the Reds in 2017. He is expected to begin the 2019 season at Advanced Single-A Rancho Cucamonga but could move quickly through the system based on his 2019 spring training performance.
• Catcher Diego Cartaya, the 17-year-old was regarded by MLB pipeline as the top 2018 International prospect when he signed with Dodgers. He will likely play in Dominican Republic this season, possibly the Arizona rookie team.
• Robinson Ortiz, the 19-year-old left handed pitcher signed by the Dodgers during the 2016 International signing period. Currently on the roster at Rancho Cucamonga, Ortiz has “plus” pitches that he commands. He, too, could rise quickly.

Check back regularly here on ThinkBlue LA throughout the 2019 season for occasional updates on these and other Dodgers prospects. The Dodgers minor league affiliates are: The Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers, Double-A Tulsa Oilers, Advanced Single-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, and the Low Single-A Great Lakes Loons, whose seasons begin April 4. The Arizona Rookie League Dodgers and Pioneer Rookie League Ogden Raptors will begin play in June.

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